Liberty Humane Society

Jersey City, Hudson County

235 Jersey City Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07304

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

Continuation Sheet for inspection conducted September 24, 2010

Section 8:23A Description of the Violation

1.2(a) The facility is noncompliant with the provisions of the following
rules regarding the maintenance and care of animals.

1.3(a) Large amounts of bagged and canned food and other items were
stockpiled throughout the shelter, especially in laundry room and
walkways by trailers creating a nuisance.

The arrangement of dogs creates a nuisance which may lead

to serious injury or death of the dogs. Large dogs housed in upper
level cages were picked up by a rope around their neck and pulled
into the cage. Dogs are not being properly supported when picked
up by staff and placed in upper cages.

1.3(c) Bags of food were not stored properly off of the floor to protect
such supplies against infestation or contamination by vermin.

1.3(d) Expired dog food and debris including medical waste had not
been disposed of.

1.3(e) Towels were not provided in the employee bathroom off of the
kitchen and it was not kept clean. The toilet was full of urine and
had not been flushed. A fly strip covered with dead flies hung from
the ceiling and boxes of office supplies and other miscellaneous
items were stockpiled in this room.

1.3(f) Building was not kept clean or in good repair and the grounds
were not maintained to facilitate prescribed husbandry practices.
Spots of blood were splattered across the euthanasia room wall.
The hose connected to the spigot in the utility tub that is
used to clean food and water receptacles was broken. Grassy
areas in the rear of the building were overgrown with weeds and
other vegetation.

1.4(c) At the time of inspection, the window was fully open in the dog
trailer. This window was not screened.

1.4(f) Interior building floor surfaces where animals where housed were
not impervious to moisture so that they may be readily cleaned
and sanitized.

1.4(g) A significant amount of water regularly accumulated and

pooled on the floor surrounding the utility tub in a main dog
housing area near the washer and dryer. Also, the floor drain in
the original dog isolation room was not properly constructed to
rapidly drain surface water. Alternatively, staff maintaining this
room had to hose contaminated water outside of the isolation
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 room and through the exercise pens where dogs where dogs were
currently housed.

1.5(e) Ground surfaces of outdoor dog kennels were constructed of

unsealed cement and nine out of the fourteen outdoor dog
kennels had significant cracks in the cement. Surfaces of outdoor
enclosures are required to be constructed and maintained so they
are impervious to moisture and able to be easily cleaned and
disinfected.

1.6(a) Primary enclosures were not maintained to protect animals from

injury or enable animals to remain dry and clean. The front
fencing in one kennel located in the dog intake trailer had
unraveled creating a large hole (approx. 10 inch diameter) and
thus exposing an animal housed within to sharp points. Several of
the grated white resting benches in the dog kennels were
sagging/broken and may possibly collapse if dog tried to use
them. Part of two upright dog enclosures had wood surfaces. The
wood may cause injury if the dog was to rub up against or
consume the wood. Also, the wood did not allow the animal to
remain dry and clean because wood is a porous material and can
not be effectively cleaned and disinfected. Dog crates used as
primary enclosures for cats were stacked creating an unstable
structure creating the potential for the structure to topple over.
Also, where crates were stacked animals on lower levels were not
able to remain dry and clean due to hair, litter, etc. spilling into
lower cages. Dogs were placed in water soaked outdoor
enclosures and were unable to remain dry and clean as a result.
The hose outside leaked water that streamed into the dog kennels
where dogs were housed. These dogs were unable to remain dry
and clean as a result.

The large majority of primary (indoor) enclosures for dogs did

not provide sufficient space. Examples included but were not
limited to a large, white Pitbull and a Sharpie that were unable to
turn about feely and to stand, sit and lie in a comfortable normal
position.

1.6(b) The large majority of indoor dog enclosures, including dogs in the
isolation areas, did not meet the minimum square footage
requirement. Measurements of four dogs and their primary
enclosures were taken (See chart below). Three of the four dogs’
enclosures were too small and did not provide the minimum
square footage required. It is important to note, that the Lhasa
Apso was the smallest dog in the shelter at the time of inspection
and it is not the typical size dog that is housed at this facility.

Dog Length of dog in Required Actual square

inches (tip of nose minimum square footage of floor
to base of tail) footage of floor space
space
Lhasa Apso 19 4.3 4.3
Sharpei 29 8.5 4.3
Cocker Spaniel 27 7.6 4.3

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 Pitbull 32 10 6.4
Pitbull 33 10.6 8.9

As per regulation, each dog shall be provided a minimum square

footage of floor space equal to the mathematical square of the
sum of the length of the dog in inches, as measured from the tip
of its nose to the base of its tail, plus 6 inches, expressed in
square feet.

Please note, as required by 8:23A-1.6(h) all dogs confined in cages of less than double
the minimum standard size (which appeared to be all 48 dogs at the time of this
inspection) need to be exercised in runs at least twice a day or walked on a leash at
least 20 minutes per day.

1.6(f) The two floor drains in the dog trailer did not have drain covers to
protect the dogs feet and legs from injury.

1.8(c) The sanitation procedures continue to be performed incorrectly in

all areas of the facility. Staff used multiple disinfecting
solutions but does not use them in accordance with the
manufacturers’ instructions. Bleach was used as a disinfectant
on surfaces that had not been cleaned with a detergent. Staff
estimated dilutions and did not measure to ensure that the
disinfectant solution was properly prepared. Splashless Bleach
was used as a disinfectant in areas of the facility however the
product label states it is not to be used as a disinfectant.
Disinfectants were mixed together and disinfectant solutions were
not left for the length of time necessary to kill common pathogens
in a shelter setting.

1.8(e) Insects were not effectively controlled. Many live and dead flies
were evident throughout the facility.

1.9(a) The disease control and health care program is still under
development.

It was noted on the last inspection report that there was going to
be a mandatory staff meeting where the vet’s protocols would be
communicated to staff, implemented and subsequently practiced
and supervised. This meeting was cancelled by the veterinarian.
As a result, management instituted its’ own training, excluding
input from the veterinarian. Management and the veterinarian
must work collaboratively to establish and maintain a program of
disease control and health care. At this time it is unclear who the
point of reference is regarding the maintenance of medications
and medical supplies, treatment orders and isolation procedures.

1.9(d) Animals were not receiving proper veterinary care. The available
medication logs showed days where treatments were not given.
Also, cage cards did not match the medical records that were
provided as evidence that the 15 dogs under confinement for a
communicable disease were receiving proper veterinary care.

1.9(h) A system was not in place that removed air from either dog
isolation room to an area outside the building. Also, there was a
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 large open space around the air duct tubing in the dog isolation
room connected to the euthanasia room which allowed air to enter
into adjacent general population dog areas.

1.11(e) Certificates for the three staff members administering animal

euthanasia were not available for inspection.

1.11(f) Animals are not being weighed prior to administration of

euthanasia, immobilizing or tranquilizing agents. The scale was
removed from the euthanasia room.

1.13(c) Medical records were routinely destroyed once an animal is

euthanized or otherwise removed from the facility.

It was noted that approximately 48 dogs and cats (including kittens) were at the facility
at the time of this inspection.

Please note, other areas of facility that are also in need of repair included the missing
door knob to the dog isolation room, inner door panel to bathroom off of small dog room
that was loose, the base of walls in the kitchen area that had deteriorated exposing
sheetrock layer and the entry doors to the room housing cats diagnosed with ringworm
and the door to the euthanasia room, neither of which would remain closed.